anthony_d Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Nice plane Goram & Theo!I'm not used to taildragger aircraft. I started off using the DC3 in 12kt crosswinds. That was a struggle to keep on the runway once landed.So I'm resetting my conditions now to calm weather. I'm quite happy landing the plane in calm conditions, and managed it without bouncing. However I find the brakes are very sensitive, with the tail wheel lifting up with even gentle braking application and if I'm not careful I end up faceplanting the plane.I'm using CH Pedals for braking.So I'm trying landings without braking at all, letting the aircraft coast down to taxi speeds. It 'feels' better controlled. Question is whether real DC3 pilots apply the brakes when landing to get down to taxi speed.Next lesson is crosswind landings. I'm not even trying free castoring yet.... too hard for now.Anthonyp.s. the only posts I can see in this support forum are four pinned posts. Is this intentional? Edited June 29, 2012 by anthony_d
Goran_M Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 Any taildragger is very tricky to land...especially using brakes. We obviously couldn't test how hard the brakes had to be applied before the aircraft flipped over because I don't know if any DC-3 pilot has actually done that, but I WAS told that it is VERY easy to nose over any tail dragger, and the DC-3 is no exception. To correctly approach the runway and use minimal brakes, you need to slow the aircraft down to just above stall speed, after touch down, do not use the brakes. Just let it roll to just above taxi speed, and then use the brakes. What you could do is adjust the brake sensitivity in the buttons assignment screen to "half pressure". With regards to the pinned posts, That's Cameron's doing. I'm guessing for organizational reasons.
Breyne Posted July 3, 2012 Report Posted July 3, 2012 As a rule on thumb in taildraggers you never apply both brakes at the same time, you alternate between the two. You will use both brakes at same time only when holding position, engine test.Other thing on taildraggers you always hold elevators up when taxing so the tail wheel have more autorite.
deniasol Posted October 9, 2012 Report Posted October 9, 2012 (edited) There is a video on YouTube showing a short-field landing of a DC3 by an experienced pilot. According to the comments, the pilot sort of slammed the plane onto the runway with a nose down attitude to land on the main wheels and then applied full brakes to stop within 300m of touch down. And the plane did not flip over. This was contrary to all my theories about landing a tail-dragger. Edited October 9, 2012 by deniasol
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